Sporting Kansas City acquires MF Paulo Nagamura

Sporting Kansas City announced Tuesday that midfielder Paulo Nagamura has been acquired from Chivas USA in exchange for a first round selection in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft.

Nagamura, 28, has featured for Chivas USA for the last five seasons, making a total of 99 appearances and scoring 11 goals. In exchange for the Brazilian, Chivas USA receives the first round 2012 supplemental draft pick that was originally sent to Sporting KC last week in the trade for midfielder Ryan Smith. Sporting Kansas City will retain their natural first round 2012 supplemental draft pick, as well as the the third round 2012 supplemental draft pick that was also acquired in the trade for Smith.

“Paulo Nagamura is a player within the League that we have watched and targeted for a few years,” Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. “We are happy that the timing has worked out, where we could acquire him from Chivas USA. His experience and leadership will be a valuable addition to Sporting Kansas City.”

“I am very excited to join Sporting Kansas City. I watched them the entire year during their run to the conference final and I’m happy to be part of the team, add depth to the midfield and fit right in,“ Nagamura said. “I will work 110% for the team to help reach our goal of winning championships.”

Born in Brazil and beginning his career with the famed São Paulo FC, Nagamura moved to Arsenal at the age of 18 in 2001. While in London, Nagamura helped Arsenal’s under-19 side to a league title in 2002.

Nagamura left Arsenal in 2004 to join the LA Galaxy where the midfielder made an immediate impact, making a total of 54 appearances across the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Nagamura started and played the entire 120 minutes in the Galaxy’s 1-0 extra-time win over the New England Revolution in the 2005 MLS Cup final, while also playing in their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winning side the same year.

After being selected by Toronto FC in the 2007 Expansion Draft, Nagamura was traded to Chivas USA, where he went on to make 20 starts while helping Chivas USA to an appearance in the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs.

A versatile player who can feature in a number of midfield roles, as well as along the backline, Nagamura was named Defender of the Year for Chivas USA in 2008, and was nominated for MLS-All-Star recognition in 2009. In January of 2010, Nagamura moved to Tigres of the Mexican top flight before returning to Chivas USA midway through the 2010 season.